Yamato period

The Yamato period (大和) is the period of Japanese history where the Japanese Imperial court ruled from modern day Nara prefecture. At the time, Nara prefecture was called Yamato province. The Yamato period occurred from circa 250 - 710 A.D.

It is divided into two parts based upon the arrival of Buddhism:

• The Kofun period ( ca. 250 A.D - 538 )
• The Asuka period ( 538 - 710 )